Coughlin High School - Breidlin Yearbook (Wilkes Barre, PA)

Page 14 text:

Ten Rav : x -X T116 NEW M., W my-wx, A tlvjf-idwff mv . -W ,,,n,X, ,W,W,,,,W ,,Lh,. .,Liii3m:,,W,..,,M, The Old

Page 13 text:

Foreword CHOOL life in the past year has been anything but normal. Members of this year's graduating class will look back on their senior year as one which saw many changes in the usual routine though fore- most in their memories will be that day in the midst of the term when hostilities began between the United States and the Axis nations. The Breidlin, in its capacity as a complete record of the year, will be helpful in recalling these events, so it is only proper that the general tone of our yearbook should be in accordance with prevailing conditions and reflect them. With this in mind, we have selected a generally patriotic theme and, more specifically, a nautical one. The stirring silver battle-cruiser, standing out against the sea of blue on the cover, reminds at once of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Philippine waters. Following is the dedication to Admiral Stark of the United States Navy, who is now serving in London. Immediately after the Pearl Harbor incident and the active participation of our armed forces, there followed an increased activity on the home-front. This is shown next in our book by the pages devoted to the activities of our teachers in the registration, rationing, and spe- cial courses. The senior panel layout is suggestive of our beloved flag which, for so long, was kept flying gallantly above Bataan Peninsula and other places in the Philippines. In contrast to the troubled waters of the Pacific are the scenes in the field of the flag, taken at the Senior-Iunior outing of last Iune, up the peaceful Hudson River to West Point. The next section is called Off Duty for it is devoted to clubs and the diversions of the crew aboard the U. S. S. Coughlin. The navy theme is continued throughout by the write-ups in nautical style and by the captions also. At the conclusion of the Sports Sec- tion. the picture of Old Glory shows that the Breidlin ends, just as the war will end, with the Star Spangled Banner being raised on high. Nine

Page 15 text:

ames Martin Coughlin M Superintendent of Wilkes Barre Public Schools 1891 to 1918 Q 3 . l l OUGHLIN HIGH SCHOOL was highly honored this year when it was presented with the portrait of Iames M. Coughlin, for whom the school was named. The gift will be cherished as a reminder of the man who so faithiully devoted his entire life to the advancement ot education. Mr. Cough- lin's abilities were recognized far beyond the boundaries of our community. and he was offered many opportunities in larger cities but chose to remain here until the end of his career. He was appointed Superintendent of City Schools in 1891, at which time the community was served by the old Wilkes- Barre High School now called the Union Street Building. It was during his administration that the present site was selected in 1909. Mr. Coughlin es- tablished a reputation as a brilliant educator. His association with the schools ended with his death in 1918, but his influence continued to be felt. In 1925 the Wilkes-Barre High School was re-dedicated and formally named the lames IVI. Coughlin High School in the memory of Mr. Coughlin. Thus it has remained as a tribute to the professional work of a man whose public life needs no other comment. It is with a deep feeling of personal pride that the school accepts this portrait made all the more intimate because it was painted by Mr. Cough- lin's daughter, Mildred, whose artistry has received world renown. Eleven